How would McHale fare in today's game?

[317]

it depends on the team around him. if you need him to carry you on offense and you dont care as much about defense he could easily average 30 PPG. if you dont need him to score that much(2nd or 3rd option) then he can probably grab 15+ RPG well still giving you high end defense.

i figure over 10 years he would average out to 24/13(36 MPG) and be considered very good to great defensively.

[Roy H.]

^ Michale was never a great rebounder, for all his other strengths. I think 13rpg might be a bit ambitious. He only averaged 9 rebounds per game twice in his career.

[xmuscularghandix]

McHale could play in any era, IMO.  He had the extremely rare combination of:

size
quickness (in moves to the hoop)
shooting range (esp. later in career)
incredible instincts around the hoop
vision and passing

I'd love to read the article (but not enough to "become an insider") to get the projected numbers, but no question he'd be an all star today, again IMO.

And I love that he refers to LB as "Birdie." Cracks me up.

His FT's were also very good to excellent for a big man.

I don't know about the passing though. Ainge didn't coin him the "black hole" for nothing.

Yea, they called him the black hole cause he didn't pass a lot. Not because he was incapable of passing. McHale would catch it down low and go to work, he would never kick it back out. If a cutter got open he was VERY capable of dishing it for the assist.

How often would you pass if you were scoring 20 a game and shooting 60%?

[xmuscularghandix]

^ Michale was never a great rebounder, for all his other strengths. I think 13rpg might be a bit ambitious. He only averaged 9 rebounds per game twice in his career.

True, but there were like 5 straight years where he averaged between 7-10 RPG and he was 3rd on his own team in the category. If he wasn't playing with Parish and Bird i'm sure he'd have averaged double digits.

[Who]

I think his offensive numbers would be quite similar to Dirk Nowitzki ... achieved differently, more low post than the jump-shooter Dirk has been, but similar scoring production, efficiency and passing numbers.

I think McHale would regularly be scoring in the mid to high 20s in that 24-27ppg range and maybe have two or three seasons up in that 28-30ppg ball park and possibly lead the league in scoring once or twice while doing so.

I also think McHale's rebounding numbers would be similar to Dirk's if used as a PF. If he were to play center, where he'd get better rebounding opportunities, I think McHale's rebounding numbers would jump up to 10-11rpg.

Defensively, he'd be very good and make several second team All-Defense selections. Not really an anchor like a Tim Duncan or a Kevin Garnett but a well rounded and talented defensive weapon. Closer to Kenyon Martin level impact defensively.

In other words, he'd be a top five player and a regular MVP candidate.

[Roy H.]

^ Michale was never a great rebounder, for all his other strengths. I think 13rpg might be a bit ambitious. He only averaged 9 rebounds per game twice in his career.

True, but there were like 5 straight years where he averaged between 7-10 RPG and he was 3rd on his own team in the category. If he wasn't playing with Parish and Bird i'm sure he'd have averaged double digits.

Probably, although in 1989 Larry missed almost the entire season, and McHale averaged 8.2 boards.  It just wasn't one of his strengths.

[GranTur]

He would be a less impactful Dirk Nowitzki. Less offense and more defense. Sprinkle in some KG sans insane intensity.

The difference is McHale couldn't be your #1 offensive option to win a championship. He also can't be your #1 rebounder.

He would be a perpetual all-star and #2 guy on a championship quality team.

[Redz]

[GreenFaith1819]

Kevin McHale would dominate in today's game, plain and simple.

He'd probably foul DH out in 3 quarters, or certainly limit his effectiveness if he didn't foul him out.

Defensively? He'd limit the vast majority of bigs he went up against, even Dwight. He wouldn't be as strong as Dwight, but those long arms of his would certainly give Howard problems.

Just my guess stats-wise?

20-24 pts, about 8 rebs if playing PF, 10-11 if playing C, 2-3 blocks if not more, 1-2 stls.

My biggest question is his assists...how many would he avg in today's game vice the 80's, because I don't think he ever averaged more than 2 assists.

[317]

^ Michale was never a great rebounder, for all his other strengths. I think 13rpg might be a bit ambitious. He only averaged 9 rebounds per game twice in his career.

True, but there were like 5 straight years where he averaged between 7-10 RPG and he was 3rd on his own team in the category. If he wasn't playing with Parish and Bird i'm sure he'd have averaged double digits.

Probably, although in 1989 Larry missed almost the entire season, and McHale averaged 8.2 boards.  It just wasn't one of his strengths.

you forget that he boxed out, that's worth 10 RPG even if your 6-8 in today's game.

[thirstyboots18]

IMO  McHale would be the best power forward in the game, if he were playing today.

[KCattheStripe]

He would be a less impactful Dirk Nowitzki. Less offense and more defense. Sprinkle in some KG sans insane intensity.

What you just described would be the best player in today's NBA.

[Celtics18]

I thought the original question was whether drafting a young McHale in '98 would have made us better off than getting Paul Pierce. 

I don't think the combination of Walker and McHale would have yielded more success than Walker and Pierce. 

As far as the summer of '07 goes I don't think we would have gone after Garnett if we already had McHale. 

I vote Pierce who has already played the same amount of seasons as McHale did for his career and who I guess has three more productive years left in him. 

[BballTim]

He would be a less impactful Dirk Nowitzki. Less offense and more defense. Sprinkle in some KG sans insane intensity.

The difference is McHale couldn't be your #1 offensive option to win a championship. He also can't be your #1 rebounder.

He would be a perpetual all-star and #2 guy on a championship quality team.

  If Dirk was playing with Larry his whole career he'd have been known as a #2 guy in a championship team. McHale was one of the best low post scorers in the history of the league.

[Celtics4ever]

It has also been said that Kevin never really dedicated himself totally to the game either.   He was a guy who played basketball for a living.  He didn't eat, drink and sleep ball like Larry did.  That being said he was still a heck of a player.